plate no. 8020
Hicks Jane Isabella Baird (Villers)
George Elgar Hicks, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through layering and glazing.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figure and dog.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the large areas of shadow and light with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, using a limited palette of earth tones, white, and a touch of red.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Paint the dress, using subtle variations in tone to create a sense of form and texture.
- step 06
Add the dog, focusing on capturing its fur texture and expression.
- step 07
Paint the background foliage and flowers, using loose brushstrokes and a warm color palette.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · sap green
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of red. Create depth in the foliage by layering different shades of green and brown.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much color and creating a garish effect.
- →Losing the likeness of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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